China News Service, Altay, February 7th: Title: Xinjiang Kazakh female musician: Not stopping on the road to "playing music"
Author Hu Jiachen
Accompanied by brisk electronic music, Arshen Bahati played from time to time following the rhythm. Harmonica, and sometimes played Kubuzi (Kazakh musical instrument); in the chorus, she sang a low-pitched khumai. This kind of guttural performance method, which is similar to the Mongolian humai, is quite unique and attracts her attention. Other musicians nearby played their instruments in response.
In the past few days, Kazakh female musician Aersheng from the Altay Song and Dance Troupe in Xinjiang has been rehearsing with her colleagues. They will participate in many performances during the Spring Festival holiday. "Whether it's on the 'big stage' of the Spring Festival Gala or the 'small stage' between towns and villages, I enjoy the happiness brought by music and am happy to pass on this happiness to more people." Participated in the 2023 China Central Radio and Television Alson of the "Spring Festival Gala" told a reporter from China News Service on the 6th.
Arson Bahati (left) participated in the China Central Radio and Television Station Spring Festival Gala in 2023. (Photo courtesy of interviewee)
Alson’s first music teacher was his father. "My father is a music teacher. I remember when I was a child, my father's friends would come to our house as guests, and they would play various instruments together, which was very lively. I would sing and dance along." Aersen recalled that her father gave her the greatest help and Not playing skills, but encouragement. "When I was learning a musical instrument when I was young, I felt tired and afraid of making mistakes. But my father always encouraged me, which kept me interested and built up my confidence."
With a good musical foundation, Alsheng successfully passed the Yili Normal University in 2003 University (then Ili Normal College), where he systematically studied Kubuzi playing. After graduation, she applied to become a member of the Altay regional song and dance troupe. “I love ‘playing music’, and there are so many instruments that interest me.” Aersen said that whenever she meets a musician, she always comes forward to ask for advice. From then on, she gradually grew into a musician who can not only play the tambula, harmonica, kubuzi, but also sing the Kazakh komayi.
Kuomaiyi is a traditional singing form of the Kazakh people, which is a "throat" singing method. Aersen said that he was deeply attracted by Kuo Maiyi when he first saw his performance. Later, he looked for tutorials to learn, but the effect was not good. Seeing Aersen's eagerness to study, in 2016, the Altay Regional Song and Dance Troupe helped her get the opportunity to study with Zait Asghar, the inheritor of the "Kazakh Kumayi".
"The teacher taught me the bass Kumai according to my timbre conditions. The learning process was quite difficult. For a month, after practicing every day, I would feel my throat was dry and itchy, and my muscles were sore." Perseverance finally paid off, Alsheng became one of the few Kazakh Kumayi female musicians in Xinjiang.
On weekdays, Aersen likes to have fun and meet friends. "My friends and I like to play with some small ideas, such as adding ethnic instruments to pop music and electronic music, which is very interesting." Aersen said. In 2021, she released a video recording such daily life on social media, which was well received by Guangdong Satellite TV attention and was invited to participate in the recording of the satellite TV program. After the show aired, Aersheng became popular on social media, which later gave her the opportunity to appear on the "Spring Festival Gala".
"The experience of participating in the Spring Festival Gala is very unforgettable. I am very happy to show myself on such a 'big stage'. I am even more happy to have met many new friends who have profound knowledge and achievements in the art field." Alson said, along the way Since then, she has received help from many people, which has made her feel touched and confident. "When I perform in various towns and villages and meet children who like music, I will also help them and encourage them. I hope they can pursue their music dreams as firmly and happily as I do." (End)
